Gyeongju reviews preparations for 53rd Silla Cultural Festival

Gyeongju city in North Gyeongsang Province held a preparation briefing for the 53rd Silla Cultural Festival on Monday at the city hall conference room, conducting a comprehensive review of key programs and sector-by-sector readiness.

The briefing brought together members of the Citizens' Festival Operations Committee and the Hwabaek Committee, along with officials from the Gyeongju Culture Foundation, to share operational plans for each program and exchange views on festival management and safety.

Now in its 53rd year, the festival will strengthen its signature programs while being organized as a citizen-led event in which residents take direct part in planning and operations.

The flagship program "Hwabaek Jejeon" will see major improvements to its floating stage and seating areas, incorporating feedback from last year's audiences.

The two-day performance, themed "The Dawn of Silla," will feature productions using drones, fireworks and media facade projections to create a stage experience unique to the Silla Cultural Festival.

"Silk Road Festa" will feature professional street performance troupes alongside local busking artists. More than 70 percent of all performances will be new programs, and rest areas will be extended to the vicinity of Seobongchong Tomb to improve visitor convenience.

"Hwarang Hip-Hop Festa," which drew more than 10,000 visitors last year, will return at Naennam Intersection. Eight teams are set to perform, including Gyeongju-born rapper Woo Won-jae.

The food zone "Dalbich Nanjang" will feature local vendors and provide a dining area with capacity for more than 1,000 people.

Organizers also plan to minimize menu duplication and expand the use of eco-friendly containers to create a more comfortable festival environment.

Citizen participation will also be expanded. This year, a total of 321 residents — serving as citizen producers, citizen supporters and members of the Hwarang Wonhwa troupe — will take part in festival planning and on-site operations.

The Silla Arts Festival, held ahead of the main cultural festival, will move from the Gyeongju Arts Center, where it was held last year, to Bonghwangdae, where it will run for two days.

The event will showcase works and performances by local artists and offer hands-on programs for both residents and tourists.

"We will prepare carefully to preserve the identity of the Silla Cultural Festival while making it a polished event that both citizens and tourists can enjoy together," Gyeongju Mayor Ju Nak-young said. "Particularly given the large crowds expected, we will work closely with relevant agencies to ensure there are no gaps in safety management."